Live as friends never works. Because you know you are actually specting somthing to change and it seems that on this case he needed to get out on his own and live in real life what he is been probably wanting for a long time; being by himself! But now he has some space and time to think if this is what he wants.
I am on the same situation with my husband wich it is a little different he is gone and he says he doesn't love me like a husband. I am 23 and he is 30 and it has always been complicated between us we come from different cultures and we are so different but I really thought I could make it work. It' been a month since he is gone. he is living with his best friend and I am still trying to figure out what to do.

I hope this helps!